Caring for Your Uncircumcised Son

You new baby boy is born with a foreskin covering the glans of his penis. This foreskin gives important protection to the glans throughout life if it is not amputated during circumcision.

Caring for your intact (uncircumcised) son is not complicated. In fact his penis is given extra protection by the foreskin. The foreskin will help keep the glans of his penis and soft.

The foreskin is actually attached the glans when your son is born. It will gradually become unattached and "retractable" as your son grows. It does not usually become fully retractable until a boy reaches puberty. In some boys it takes even longer; there is no official age by which is must become retractable.

You should never, ever forcibly retract your son's foreskin. Never allow anyone else, even a doctor to retract your son's foreskin. To do so would be ripping it away from the glans of the penis.

Basic Cleaning

To keep your son's penis healthy clean it during baths and during diaper changes. You can use a mild soap, but once the foreskin begins to retract you should teach your son only to rinse with warm water.

Using soaps can change the delicate balance between the foreskin and the glans. Just like the female vagina has a delicate balance and cleanses itself so will the foreskin. Warm water is all that is needed. And until the foreskin will retract on its own you don't need to worry at all about cleaning underneath it.

What if I see Irritation?

Sometimes you may see red around the tip of your son's penis. Wash it and dry it well. You may want to consider leaving your son's diaper off for a little while so his penis is exposed to the air. This may be enough to clear up any redness or irritation.

You can also make a little bath for your son. Make some weak Echinacea tea and let it cool. Pour it into the bath water and let your little soak for a bit. The Echinacea will help heal any inflammation. After the bath let your son's bottom dry thoroughly. Again consider some diaper free time.

Another option is an antibiotic cream or gel. Your doctor can recommend one to you. If you take your son into the doctor remember do not let the doctor retract your son's foreskin.

Diapered babies often have irritation around the genital area. Thorough cleaning and frequent changing are the best solutions. Circumcision is almost never a solution. If anything it places the penis at even more risk of irritation and infection.

My Son Pulls at His Penis

If your son pulls at his penis you may be alarmed. You may worry he'll hurt himself. This is rarely the case. Your son is simply exploring. He sees his penis exactly like his fingers and toes - part of him.

Your son won't hurt himself by pulling at his penis or foreskin. It is partly through this relatively gentle handling that the foreskin becomes more moveable (remember you should never try to retract the foreskin yourself). Hormones also play a part.

Sometimes your son may just have an itch ;) You can prevent itching and irritation by allowing your son diaper free time and by avoiding the use of harsh soaps. If you're still using diapers consider diapers that are free of fragrances. Cloth diapers may be a good option.

Caring for your intact son is a common sense task. No intense special care is required. For an in-depth article covering all possible medical situations you may encounter with your intact son I recommend you read Paul M. Fleiss' article on Mothering.com.

Natural Birth and Baby Care.com